Perfectly Planned Pumpkin Carve

I'm a little behind on blogging (what's new!) but I definitely didn't want to miss posting about another one of our most favorite fall activities ..the Annual Pumpkin Carve hosted each year by our sweet friends, the Davises. Every October as the pumpkin lots begin to pop up all over town, the first thing our kids start asking is, "When is THE pumpkin carve?" Quickly followed by,  "We are definitely going, right?!! I mean we can't miss it!" I believe this was the 6th year that they hosted 50+ adults & children for a night of food, games, treats, fellowship, fireworks, and, of course, carving pumpkins! Never mind that they have 7 children (ranging in age from 10 years to 4 months,) each year the event gets bigger & better. They always love to surprise & wow the crowd with something new & amazing! This year did not disappoint...come & see...

Pumpkin prep at home before the party...we have learned, the more pumpkins you have to carve, the better it is to "gut" the pumpkins & do all the messy work at home beforehand. This year we even let the kids search online for cool carving ideas (thanks Pinterest!) & we printed a template for each pumpkin at home. Armed with 4 clean & empty pumpkins & 4 carving templates, we were ready to go!

More importantly, Lucy's ready, so we are on our way!!!

First up, FOOD, of course! The wonderful hosts provided yummy chili & spaghetti for all & everyone brought a side dish or dessert to share. 

As soon as bellies were full, it was down to business, pumpkin carving business! Our kids had kind of a Disney theme going on this year...Darcy chose Tinkerbell, Sophie chose Rapunzel & Drew chose Lightning McQueen.

Jack chose the red Angry Bird & did all of his carving completely on his own.

 Throughout the evening there was plenty of fun to be had...tossing a football & tackling each other, playing inside, playing outside, playing upside down! Organized games & general merriment! This year one of the new additions was a huge cake walk.

Drew really liked the cake walk...here he is enjoying his prize, a yummy chocolate cupcake with loads of bright blue frosting!

Finally the pumpkins were carved & ready for lighting!

Lightning McQueen, lots of Jack-o-lanterns, Tinkerbell

Red Angry Bird, close up of some of the pumpkins, Rapunzel
The creativity displayed in all of the pumpkins was amazing & really beautiful! 

And the grand finale...a dazzling display of fireworks!

Thanks to Stephanie & Jeff, as always, for their graciousness & hospitality. This year's Annual Pumpkin Carve was another roaring success & a great time was had by all!